Turkey fines TV stations for protest coverage

Istanbul, June 14, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists calls
on the Turkish state media regulator to reverse its decision to penalize four TV
stations in connection with their coverage of the demonstrations that have occurred
nationwide over the past two weeks.

The state broadcast regulator, the High Council of Radio and
Television (RTÜK), levied fines on Wednesday against the pro-opposition TV
stations Ulusal Kanal, Halk TV, Cem TV, and EM TV, in the amount of 12,000
Turkish lira (US$6,460) each, for allegedly "inciting violence" and "violating
broadcasting principles," according to local
news reports. RTÜK said the stations' live coverage of clashes between riot
police and protesters in Taksim Square "could harm the physical, moral, and
mental development of children and young people," the reports said.

While mainstream television channels such as Habertürk, CNN Türk, and NTV were airing
unrelated programming despite the dramatic
events unfolding in Istanbul's streets--incurring the frustration of
protesters--Ulusal Kanal, Halk TV, Cem TV, and EM TV were streaming live coverage.

It is unclear if the stations will pay the fine or
are planning to appeal.

"We call on the High Council of Radio and Television to reverse its
decision to punish Ulusal Kanal, Halk TV, Cem TV, and EM TV for doing their job
by reporting on anti-government demonstrations," CPJ Europe and Central Asia
Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said from New York. "Keeping the public
informed of events as they happen is not harmful to society; keeping those
events concealed is."